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Windows 7: Please help me set up symbolic links in Windows 7

I have thoughT about using symbolic links in my system for the data I store from my Android devices. I have read about it on internet and I understand that there are several ways to create them. Which way is the better one? The DOS method or the method using 3rd party applications? What are the drawbacks to each of them? Are they both same?

Natively in Windows, there has only ever been one way of creating symbolic links, that is, through the command prompt (or "DOS" prompt if you like).

Typing commands to a black screen is not very user-friendly. It's because of this that many insist a 3rd party application be downloaded for the task of creating symbolic links on your system.

Quote: Originally Posted by b0bl335wa993r

Which way is the better one?

It's personal preference. There's no right or better way.

If you dislike typing out commands and prefer a nice colourful, user-friendly GUI to get the task done, by all means go for the 3rd party application choice.

Also, 3rd party applications will likely go beyond just giving you the functionality of creating these links. They could help you mange the symbolic links you create on your system, or perhaps add options to your context menu to help you deal with symbolic links and aid yourself in creating a new link quicker. It's rare one would need such extra functionality though.

Quote: Originally Posted by b0bl335wa993r

What are the drawbacks to each of them?

There's no drawbacks to either (depending on your usage (and definition of "drawback")). Both ways will be capable of creating all three types of symbolic links for you: soft links, hard links, junction points.

If it's just a one off symbolic link you wish to create, I would just go about making one using the command line. If you plan to utilize symbolic links extensively, look for an application as your option.

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